Rockhurst men’s basketball coach Bill O’Connor to retire

Bill O’Connor, who has won more games than any men’s basketball coach at Rockhurst University, will retire after this season.

“I felt like this was a good time as any to retire,” said O’Connor, who is 271-312 in 21 seasons. “I have loved every minute here. It’s a special school with special people.”

Three of O’Connor’s teams advanced to the NCAA Tournament with his 2002 team finishing 24-6 and advancing to a regional final. He played a pivotal role in the school’s transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II in the late 1990s.

He’s been chosen conference coach of the year three times, including winning the Great Lakes Valley Conference award in 2009. The Hawks are 6-16 overall and 2-12 in the conference this season.

O’Connor spent 10 years in high school coaching before becoming a Rockhurst assistant in 1982. He served five years as coach at Colby (Kan.) Community College and was an assistant at Texas-Pan American before taking over at Rockhurst in 1994.

Rockhurst athletic director Gary Burns said the search for a successor has begun.

This story was originally published February 13, 2015 at 5:14 PM with the headline "Rockhurst men’s basketball coach Bill O’Connor to retire."